Metallica Reveal New Song ‘Murder One’ Is a Tribute to Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister

Metallica fans who are grinding their teeth in anticipation for Hardwired… to Self-Destruct to hit stores may have noticed the song “Murder One” on the forthcoming album’s track listing. In a new interview, Metallica revealed “Murder One” is a tribute to late Motorhead icon Lemmy Kilmister.

During much of Lemmy’s career, the musician cranked his bass through a custom 1976 Marshall Super Bass Head with the words “Murder One” prominently sculpted above his monstrous bass cabinets. Murder One become one of the most recognizable pieces of gear in rock and roll history, serving as a fitting foundation for Metallica to pay their respects.

"Motörhead had a lot to do with Metallica sitting here right now," frontman James Hetfield said at a SiriusXM Town Hall event, as reported by Rolling Stone. "But just Lemmy as an entity, as kind of a father figure, he helped us a lot. He was unafraid. And he was a character. And he was himself. And we all respected that so much. He did his own thing to the last breath. No matter who you are, how could you not be inspired by that?"

Drummer Lars Ulrich adds, ”In the summer of 1981, I followed Motörhead around on tour. That was what made me want to be in a band. When I came back to Southern California and called up James and said, 'Listen, we've got to give this a shot,' ... Motörhead is the catalyst."

“Murder One” is the fifth track on Disc Two of Hardwired… to Self-Destruct. The album will become available Nov. 18 via Blackened Recordings, but fans can click here to pre-order the disc.